Not something I do on every trip. These bees are special. Like most bees, they create a uniqe entrance to their nest that allows them to protect the colony from invaders, and have easy access.

These bees create a waxy cheese straw that they zip in and out of all day!

Friend and bee expert, David Roubik, transferred a large bee hive from a too small (but very heavy log) to a clean and large house. After taking two different chain saws to the log I saw what was inside. The bees had used the majority of space for trash and waste. A very small area in the log was used to store pollen and nectar. The bee “residence” was a grey-black mass the size of a rugby ball, layered with paper-thin material.

These bees don’t create the layers of “combs” that honey bees do.

But these bees make something that tastes even better. The nectar and pollen is stored in waxy resin containers. These vessels are the size and shape of small gourds. The honey inside is an elixir that tastes like a sauterne wine! Layered with citrus and flowers, the wine is sweet, and about the same thickness as a sauterne.

I don’t know that I’ll ever taste that complex, delicious honey again.

Want a close up? – play the video.

I ran into this creature unexpectedly. I wasn’t sure what it was at first because it was so large and I saw it fly. When did they start flying? I had never seen a grasshopper fly before.  Grasshoppers are part of the locust family. I couldn’t help but think about Biblical references to “plagues of locusts”. A swarm of these creatures could block the sun and eat all the vegetation in sight.

Beautiful red and black wings – they show up clearly on the video.

The good news for you readers is I returned full of stories and videos! I’ll start with the most popular of creatures – the big cats.

Each of the big cats in Africa – the lion, cheetah and leopard is remarkably different in behavior and hunting success.

Which one are you?

The lion is quite a social creature. Lions live in groups, the females work together to raise young, which are birthed simultaneously, and to hunt. Lions hunt together, but are not coordinated hunters. They mostly hunt at night and sport a hunt success rate of 20-30%.

The cheetah, of course, is known as the fastest cat. In the next video, notice the particularly fluffy end of the tail. That acts like a spoiler on race cars, allowing the cheetah to make sharp turns at high speeds. Yet, for all that speed its success rate is about the same as the lions. Speed doesn’t add additional advantage. Cheetahs can be chased away from a kill by larger cats.

And the leopard. Larger than a cheetah, more clever than a lion. The leopard lives a solitary life. Its kill rate is about 50%, making it the most successful hunter of the large cats. It’s secret? Stealth and strength. It approaches undetected and uses powerful jaws and claws to subdue. Dragging kill into the trees, away from thieving lions and hyenas, is another advantage.

Which style do those you work with adopt – aggression like the lion, speed like the cheetah or stealth and isolation like the leopard? What are the differences between their style and yours? How does that impact your ability to succeed?

Interested in cheetahs, leopards and lions? The Cheetah Conservation Fund and Amani Lodge work with cats and rehabilitate them into the wild.

Stay tuned for more on the lion, leadership, the wisdom of elephants, and prosperity!

Make some noise, Howler Monkeys!

If you’re another Howler Monkey (and even if you’re a simple human) there is no mistaking what these arboreal primates are saying, “Stay out of my territory!”  Do yourself a favor in your job search, be clear. The simple, direct, well-worded message will come across. Luckily you have many vehicles for your message, the resume, cover letter, and thank you to name a few. I’m going to spend most of this blog discussing what’s most important, the message. The message is your story.

I feel rather fortunate to have seen this particular species, and on our last day in the field, too. Typically, their calls are heard for miles, but seldom do they descend low enough for a clear view. To see and hear them is spectacular, check it out.

Mind control!  Parasitic flies and leafcutter ants.

Here’s the bottom line, ants are smarter in teams, so are humans. Make your search more enjoyable and effective by calling on friends with positive energy and encouragement or hiring a coach. Even ants who focus solely on the task of carrying leaves, without asking for help, risk losing their minds. No, I’m not kidding. It’s a fascinating story. Check out the video.

Of penguins and personality.

It’s my first time around a penguin colony. Luckily, I had just met Dyan deNapoli, The Penguin Lady. Dyan explained that penguins personalities are similar to cats. After a morning around this colony, I still can’t keep track of a single penguin without confusing it with the others. Yet, I know they are not alike.

I remember working  in “cube land”. At times, it felt like I was just another indistinct ID number. Now one of the things I most enjoy is helping clients clearly define the qualities and experiences that make them both unique and desirable employees. Defining what makes you different is how you will stand out, get the interview, and land the job. What that requires is knowing who you are, or to use the cliche, “what you bring to the table”, and putting it into direct language. What’s the simplest way you can state it?

“Glacial change” is a misnomer: glaciers are anything but slow. This one is alive…

I am interested in questions of identity and transformation. This glacier is a good metaphor for both. Seeing it in person changed how I think about glaciers. For example, to stay balanced the glacier sheds large chunks of itself weighing several tons. This shedding sounds like thunder or an approaching earthquake.  So the glacier is not slow to change, as we think.

I think we often use the word “balance”, for example “work life balance”, and think the word “peaceful”. When in fact, staying balanced requires the ability to make difficult decisions and the willingness to rid our lives and homes of the thoughts, behaviors and possessions that keep us from pursuing that which gives us pleasure.

Click here to view the embedded video.